Submit Applications for Creative Communities Scheme in New Zealand

Deadline: 09-Oct-26

The Creative Communities Scheme (CCS) is seeking applications from individuals and groups in New Zealand for local arts projects that encourage community participation, celebrate diversity, and provide opportunities for young people to engage in the arts. The scheme supports vibrant local arts activity by funding projects that bring communities together, promote cultural diversity, and increase participation in creative activities. Funding decisions are made locally through councils, allowing support to reflect the needs and aspirations of individual communities.

About the Creative Communities Scheme

The Creative Communities Scheme is designed to strengthen local arts activity across New Zealand.

The scheme supports projects that:

- Encourage community participation in the arts. - Celebrate cultural diversity. - Provide opportunities for young people to participate in arts activities. - Promote local creative and cultural expression. - Support communities to develop and experience arts activities. The scheme is administered locally by councils, such as the Ōpōtiki District Council, with funding decisions reflecting the priorities of each local community. How Much Funding Is Available? Most Creative Communities Scheme grants are under $2,000. However, there is no formal upper limit on the amount that applicants can request. The amount awarded depends on the project, its local value, eligible costs, and the assessment process used by the relevant local council. What Can Funding Be Used For? CCS funding can support a range of direct costs associated with delivering local arts activities.

Eligible costs may include:

- Arts materials. - Venue hire. - Equipment hire. - Short-term personnel costs. - Administrative costs associated with the project. - Promotion and publicity of arts activities. Applicants should ensure that proposed expenditure is directly connected to the eligible arts project. What Types of Projects Are Supported? The scheme supports a broad range of local arts and cultural activities.

Examples include:

- Performances. - Arts workshops. - Exhibitions. - Festivals. - Community films. - Public artworks. - Artist residencies. - Seminars supporting artist development. - Other community-based arts activities. Projects should encourage local participation and contribute to the cultural life of the relevant city or district. Projects Celebrating Cultural Diversity The Creative Communities Scheme encourages projects that celebrate New Zealand’s cultural diversity.

This includes projects promoting:

- Māori art forms and heritage. - Pasifika art forms and heritage. - Migrant heritage art forms. - Other forms of cultural expression that contribute to diverse local communities. Projects involving groups with experience of disability or mental illness are also encouraged. Young People’s Participation Providing opportunities for young people to participate in the arts is one of the key objectives of the scheme. Projects can create opportunities for young people to: - Participate in performances. - Attend or lead creative workshops. - Develop artistic skills. - Contribute to exhibitions and festivals. - Participate in community arts projects. - Explore cultural and creative expression. Where Must Projects Take Place? Projects must take place within the city or district where the application is made. The scheme is focused on supporting local arts activity and community participation within the relevant area. Projects must also be completed within 12 months of funding approval. Project Timing Requirements Applicants must ensure that their project meets the scheme’s timing requirements.

Projects:

- Must not have started before CCS funding is approved. - Must not have been completed before funding approval. - Must be completed within 12 months of funding approval. Applicants should therefore wait for funding approval before beginning the proposed activity. Who Can Apply? The Creative Communities Scheme allows individuals and groups to apply.

Individuals must be either:

- New Zealand citizens, or - New Zealand permanent residents. Applicants should also ensure that the proposed project meets the scheme’s local arts and community participation requirements. Requirements for Previous CCS Recipients Applicants who have previously received Creative Communities Scheme funding must complete a report on their previous project before applying again. An exception applies where the previous project is still in progress. Applicants should ensure that any required reporting has been completed before submitting a new application. What Projects Are Not Eligible? The scheme does not support every type of activity or expenditure.

Ineligible projects include:

- Projects without an arts focus. - Projects that form part of the core business of educational institutions. - Projects primarily delivering outcomes for other sectors. - Local council projects. - Fundraising activities. - Facility development projects. Applicants should ensure that the primary purpose of their proposal is a local arts activity rather than another type of community or institutional project. What Costs Are Not Eligible? Certain costs are excluded from CCS funding.

These include:

- Ongoing administration costs. - Travel to other areas. - Purchase of equipment. - Entry fees. - Prize money. - Royalties. - Debt servicing. Applicants should distinguish between eligible project costs, such as equipment hire, and ineligible expenditure, such as equipment purchases. How to Prepare a Strong Application Applicants should clearly demonstrate how their project will contribute to local arts participation and community development.

A strong application should explain:

- The artistic focus of the project. - Where the project will take place. - Who will participate or benefit. - How the project encourages community participation. - How the project celebrates diversity or cultural expression. - How young people will be involved, where rel